A Hong Kong court has convicted Dow Jones Publishing, the parent company of the Wall Street Journal, of deterring reporter Selina Cheng from exercising trade union rights. The court cleared the company of a second charge alleging it dismissed or discriminated against Cheng because she exercised those rights.
Cheng was dismissed in July 2024, weeks after becoming chair of the Hong Kong Journalist Association. The company said at the time that her termination was due to restructuring; Dow Jones maintained during the case that there was no link between her union role and the dismissal.
What the court decided
Principal magistrate David Cheung ruled that Dow Jones had prevented or deterred an employee from exercising trade union rights. He said the company had wrongfully and unjustifiably applied its code of conduct when it insisted Cheng seek prior approval to stand as chair of the Hong Kong Journalist Association.
The defence argued that Cheng was terminated because her position was redundant and that the prosecution had not shown management instructed her supervisor. The court accepted Cheng’s account and described her as honest and reliable.
Key figures
- Two charges were brought against Dow Jones Publishing; the company was convicted on one and acquitted on one.
- Each charge carries a maximum fine of HK$100,000, about US$12,750.
- Sentencing is expected at a later date.
Why the case matters for Hong Kong journalists
Cheng covered China’s automobile and energy sectors for the Wall Street Journal. She said an editor told her employees should not be seen as advocating for press freedom in places such as Hong Kong because it could be viewed as a conflict of interest. She also said the company asked her to leave her then-board position at the association.
The Hong Kong Journalist Association, established in 1968, is the city’s oldest journalist union and represents journalists and news workers. It has faced increasing pressure since the introduction of a Beijing-imposed national security law in 2020. For additional context, see “Two Hong Kong activists found guilty over Tiananmen vigils”.
The case has alarmed journalists in a city where foreign outlets have traditionally faced less pressure than local news organisations. Reporters Without Borders ranked Hong Kong 73rd globally in 2019 and 140th out of 180 countries and territories in 2026.
What happens next
The court is expected to hand down Dow Jones Publishing’s sentence at a later date.
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